Milwaukee juvenile detention guard charged with abusing boy
WAUWATOSA, Wis. —
A guard at Milwaukee County's juvenile detention center has been charged with abusing a boy, following an FBI investigation into an incident that occurred two years ago.
Britain Powell, 33, is facing charges of misconduct in public office and abuse of a resident of a penal facility. Powell is accused of slamming the boy into a metal railing, according to a criminal complaint.
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On an average day, more than a hundred children are held at Milwaukee County's juvenile detention center. The alleged case of physical abuse led to an FBI investigation after another boy told his grandmother, and she called the feds.
According to the Milwaukee County criminal complaint, Powell is seen on video in January 2024 attacking a boy who complained about "hair in his food," "slamming him into a metal staircase railing," "holding him on the ground and pushing on his face," and "pushing him into a wall."
Philadelphia attorney Malik Pickett specializes in juvenile justice reform with the non-profit Juvenile Law Center.
He's not working specifically on the Milwaukee case, but said Wednesday, "These things are really commonplace and somewhat routine at these facilities where you kind of have a power imbalance."
